NJ A2177

New Jersey Supreme Court must issue an order dismissing and recalling all unresolved charges, complaints, and arrest warrants from municipal courts that are 5+ years old for petty disorderly and disorderly persons offenses, including simple assault, shoplifting under $200, harassment, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, drug paraphernalia possession, and marijuana possession (50 grams or less).

Municipal ordinance violations are excluded from the dismissal provisions, allowing municipalities to continue enforcing their own laws and collecting revenue.

The Administrative Office of the Courts must submit two reports to the Legislature within 6 months: one studying expansion of conditional dismissal/discharge programs, and another examining feasibility of a "Fugitive Safe Surrender Program" for voluntary surrender in faith-based or neutral settings.

The bill builds on a 2019 NJ Supreme Court order that dismissed over 700,000 unresolved complaints and warrants for minor matters more than 15 years old (pre-2003), but reduces the threshold from 15 years to 5 years.

The act takes effect 90 days following enactment.